This project focuses on the implementation of Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP) for BMP installation in the Jordan Lake Watershed, specifically in the Upper New Hope Creek sub watersheds.

Counties Impacted:

Durham

Wake County

​
Duke Energy grant funds were critical for building momentum for the Durham and Wake SWCD Community Conservation Assistance Programs (CCAP). These grant funds allowed us to work in more watersheds and help many citizens to voluntarily install practices to improve and protect local water quality. Durham and Wake SWCD staff hosted and participated in 13 community events to raise public awareness for this project including HOA meeting presentations, Stream Restoration workshops, Community Tours, and more. 328 citizens attended these events. More than 765 acres in the Jordan Lake watershed were treated by the stormwater BMPs installed through this grant. Using state nutrient and sediment reduction models, we estimate that these projects annually reduce nitrogen loads to Jordan Lake by 92lbs of nitrogen, 7 lbs of phosphorous, and 203 tons of sediment.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro - Office of Sponsored Programs, Greensboro, NC

BACK

University of North Carolina at Greensboro Wetlands Development

University of North Carolina at Greensboro - Office of Sponsored Programs, Greensboro, NC

This project will construct two wetlands on the UNCG campus to improve water quality and increase education, community outreach, research and campus beautification. Additionally, wetland maintenance will be integrated into UNCG's STEM curriculum.

Counties Impacted:

Guilford County, NC

​When we modify ecosystems, we often lose that capability of providing ecosystem services. Restoring wetlands is a way to improve water quality and increase biodiversity. Since we are on UNCG campus, this can also be used as a research and education tool.

WoWW will increase community awareness of protecting water resources and teach concepts needed to improve water quality, quantity and conservation by developing project infrastructure, strategic collaborations, and hands-on learning opportunities.

Counties Impacted:

Iredell

Mecklenburg

Cabarrus

Anson

Union

Montgomery

Stanly

Rowan

York

​We want to make sure every time a girl interacts with the water she knows how to treat it so she remains safe and it remains safe. The new improvements will help the camp safely teach girl scouts about water science and animal life.

The goal of this project is to improve source water quality in Spartanburg Co. through the education and involvement of citizen water quality monitoring volunteers. Each certified volunteer will receive QA/QC training on water sampling and analysis.

The funding for AAS for Spartanburg County has allowed the Watershed Ecology Center to assume a more active role in water monitoring in the County and a more active role in AAS in South Carolina. The secondary education teachers who have kits now have a simple tool to demonstrate water quality to their students. This is a win-win for our community.

Giving people access to all parts of the river ecology opens their eyes to the value of the natural world and their role in preserving it. The updates to the riverside create an environmental education resource for the Y's programs as well as other community partners. A large stone council ring, multiple science stations, walking trails, under a tree-canopied area enhance this outdoor classroom space for the full community.

Counties Impacted:

Greenville County

​Thanks to the Duke Energy Water Resources Fund, YMCA of Greenville’s new riverside outdoor classroom and educational programs allow our community to engage with the Reedy River, furthering their understanding of the impact urbanization makes on it and what their roles can be to protect it.

This project will initiate a long-term process for strategic conservation of high priority lands on Black Creek in Darlington County. To do this, Pee Dee Land Trust will prioritize properties, educate landowners about conservation options, and complete a new conservation easement project.

Counties Impacted:

Darlington County SC

​The Black Creek Conservation Strategy is providing valuable information to landowners about conservation options for properties that include significant frontage along Black Creek, a major tributary of the Great Pee Dee River. This project will build on the strong, historic conservation ethic that has helped preserve and improve water quality in Black Creek, and will generate additional conservation easements in coming years.

A Teacher Education Course at the Duke Energy Bad Creek Hydro Station in Salem, SC

Clemson University , Clemson, SC

This project will teach K-12 teachers about the ecology of a Duke Energy facility, the Bad Creek Hydro Station in Salem, SC. It will educate local K-12 teachers about hydroelectric and nuclear power production, and will fully support 12 K-12 teachers to complete a Clemson University graduate course focused on energy and the ecology of the area surrounding the Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station.

Project Access Lake Higgins provides access to outdoor recreation to individuals of all abilities in an inclusive environment through the installation of an accessible and universally designed kayak/canoe launch, sidewalks and accessible parking. The launch will allow individual use and create independence for individuals to recreate in nature along with friends and family at their own leisure as well as provide an opportunity for more inclusive programs and events.

Counties Impacted:

Guilford

Rockingham

Forsyth

Randolph

Alamance

​At Greensboro Parks and Recreation, everything we do is about building better lives to build a better community. This launch will create a more inclusive environment that will give individuals of all abilities access to nature and the healing power of water.

Through the efforts of Bridge II Sports and corporate and community partners, Lake Crabtree County Park is now home to the most accessible dock in the country giving recreational water access to all. The Duke Energy Water Resource Fund generously provided storage, kayaks and adapted equipment to create paddle sport opportunity for people with physical disabilities in North Carolina and beyond.

Counties Impacted:

Wake

Durham

Orange

Cumberland

The plan took five years, generous community donors, experts, and municipalities to come together with the goal of creating water access for everyone. We are excited for the benefits to the community as the dock draws watersport competitions and paddlers from all over to the Triangle.

The Town Comprehensive Plan identifies the "Banister Lake/Banister River Recreation Area" to promote natural resource protection (water quality and wildlife habitat) and to market outdoor recreation and natural heritage experiences. Banister Lake Access is a new ramp with ADA accessible courtesy pier for motorized boats and a new canoe/kayak hand launch. King’s Bridge Access is a hand launch only for canoes & kayaks with wayside, scenic river overlook/interpretive signage.

Counties Impacted:

Banister Lake Boat Landing-1125 L.P. Bailey Memorial Hwy.

King’s Bridge Landing-1041 Bethel Rd

​These facilities help Halifax’s participation with a larger regional vision that brings increased access, environmental awareness, and a beautiful presentation of both the Banister Lake and the Banister River.

The focus of the Water Loss Management Project is to evaluate water leakage and loss for its nineteen member utilities along the Catawba River in North and South Carolina.

Counties Impacted:

Wilkes

Alexander

Watauga

Avery

Union

Burke

Mecklenburg

Caldwell

McDowell

Catawba

Lincoln

Cleveland

Iredell

Gaston

Kershaw

Fairfield

Chester

York

Lancaster

This grant will help us reduce daily water withdrawals from the Catawba River Basin in efforts to protect and sustain future water supplies. We thank Duke Energy for its support of our water conservation and water efficiency initiatives so that we can be better stewards of the water supplies in the Catawba River Basin.”

Conservation Trust for North Carolina acquired a permanent conservation easement on 34 acres of vegetated buffers along pristine creeks and a portion of the 240-foot Betsey’s Rock Falls in Wilkes County. The easement protects water quality, fish and wildlife habitat and scenic views from locations along the Blue Ridge Parkway, including Betsey’s Rock Falls Overlook.

Counties Impacted:

Wilkes County

​The grant from Duke Energy Foundation’s Water Resources Fund helped CTNC ensure that pristine water quality, healthy wildlife habitat, and scenic views will be preserved along a beautiful stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We greatly appreciate Duke Energy’s generous support of this project.

BETC is a curricula-based workforce-development training program that teaches students how to design and install stormwater best management practices (BMPs). Students will install BMPs in Durham County during a 6-week summer internship program.

BACK

Bionomic Educational Training Center (BETC)

BETC is a curricula-based workforce-development training program that teaches students how to design and install stormwater best management practices (BMPs). Students will install BMPs in Durham County during a 6-week summer internship program.

Durham

"The funding from this grant will allow the BETC team to install 10 to 15 Best Management Practices in the community reducing sediment and nutrient delivery to the Jordan & Falls Lake reservoirs.

Funding will support public access, land protection and strategic mapping and planning along the Black River Conservation Corridor. These efforts further initiatives to protect this scenic freshwater coastal plain river and improve public access.

Funding will support public access, land protection and strategic mapping and planning along the Black River Conservation Corridor. These efforts further initiatives to protect this scenic freshwater coastal plain river and improve public access.

Williamsburg

Georgetown

Funding will support the protection of coastal forested wetlands along the Black River as well as the establishment of a kayak launch at the recently protected Rocky Point Community Forest in Georgetown County, SC. By supporting the acquisition of critical land, Duke Energy is helping to enhance quality of life, safeguard water quality, and protect sensitive habitats. In turn, by providing new kayak access to the River’s treasures, support will help increase understanding of the need for the region’s protection.

TLC improved water quality, aquatic education, and public access on our 613 acre Orange County Brumley Nature Preserve by reforesting stream buffers, building and improving trails and implementing an interpretive kiosk by a pond and stream.

Counties Impacted:

Orange County

​We are grateful for Duke Energy Foundation’s commitment to improve water quality, environmental access, and education. This support has allowed TLC to get more people outside with programs that inspire a love of the outdoors and a spirit of exploration.

Macon Soil and Water Conservation District in partnership with Macon County Parks and Recreation intends to install two canoe launches and a public stream access on Macon County's recently purchased and developed Parker Meadows Recreation Facility.

Catawba Basin Upland Watershed Observatory: A Partnership for Long-Term Water Research and Education

University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Gastonia, NC

This initiative will establish the Catawba Basin Watershed Observatory, a long-term outdoor laboratory that will monitor water resources, and document the environmental history and any changes that occur in the areas under study. The observatory will be located at Redlair, an approximately 1,200-acre property preserved in Gaston County along the South Fork of the Catawba River.

Counties Impacted:

Gaston

Mecklenburg

​Long-term monitoring of small watersheds will provide invaluable data regarding water resources for the region, as well as an opportunity for K-16 educators to employ real-life examples of how water, the climate and the landscape are connected.

This project will provide a much needed stream restoration, which will stabilize eroding banks and offer an ADA accessible angler trail along a hatchery supported trout stream.

Counties Impacted:

McDowell County

​This beautiful stretch of the Catawba River headwaters had an unstable steam bank which needed repair. Support from Duke Energy Water Resource Fund made the repair possible, along with the construction of the 0.5 mile handicap accessible angler trail, and an educational kiosk signage. The Catawba Streambank Stabilization and Trail at Old Fort Park project was a unique opportunity to improve the water quality of the river and enhance an outstanding recreational community asset

This project will provide three handicap fishing platforms to be installed at the Town of Cheraw's boat landing.

Counties Impacted:

Chesterfield

This grant from the Duke Water Resources will enable the Town of Cheraw to continue to provide recreation opportunities to all citizens in the area. As the only public access area in Chesterfield County to the Great Pee Dee River, it is even more important that everyone, regardless of physical abilities, has the chance to enjoy this wonderful asset the Town is fortunate to be located near."

The RMS Waccamaw River Tract is part of a conservation network which protects coastal wetlands and water quality adjacent to Conway, SC. The Waccamaw River conservation corridor will be managed for ecological health and public access and recreation.

The goal is to revitalize a dilapidated marina while also incorporating public access features by replacing old docks and piers and by constructing a boardwalk, on-the-water fishing and picnic/viewing areas, and a kayak/canoe launch for public use.

Counties Impacted:

Onslow County

​The Jacksonville Riverwalk Marina project is a key component in expanding water related opportunities. It will help create the downtown as a “destination” for our citizens to live, work, and enjoy a quality lifestyle through the elimination of a privately held, dilapidated marina with limited viewing of the New River in favor of a City-owned marina that provides both access and recreational opportunities. Such a visible change will ensure public awareness of the facility and the river since it will be located within close proximity to three other City parks and the Kerr Street Recreation Center. This project only adds to the over $2 million investment the City has made over the past 6 years towards revitalizing the downtown area. It also represents a continuation of other water quality, sustainability, and education efforts such as the Wilson Bay Initiative, the upcoming Oyster Highway project, and the soon-to-be-constructed Environmental Education at Sturgeon City.

This project will convert 2.5 acres along the Reedy River into a passive public park using riverbank restoration, stormwater-management features and educational signage.

Counties Impacted:

Greenville

Laurens

Greenwood

Though the park is located in Greenville County (500,000 residents), benefits of the Cleveland Park Stables project are likely to extend to Laurens and Greenwood Counties, given that the river flows through Laurens County to Lake Greenwood. This project has the possibility of positively impacting all users of the river including those who live nearby and benefit from it aesthetically or economically, those who recreate in its waters, and those who use it for drinking water."

Using a hybrid approach, this project will restore eroded Cotton Mill stream banks to improve water quality by reducing sediment, bacteria, and stream temperature while increasing dissolved oxygen to enhance the plant, fish, and wildlife habitat.

BACK

Cotton Mill Stream Restoration

Using a hybrid approach, this project will restore eroded Cotton Mill stream banks to improve water quality by reducing sediment, bacteria, and stream temperature while increasing dissolved oxygen to enhance the plant, fish, and wildlife habitat.

York

This project will significantly improve the water quality and habitat for the Cotton Mill stream and for the entire body of water downstream, including the scenic Catawba River, a source of drinking water and recreation for Rock Hill and the surrounding area.

The Cottonwood South Trail will extend approximately 2.5 miles along Lawson's Fork Creek, one of the main watersheds in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The project will connect to the existing Glendale Shoals Preserve, established by SPACE in 1994.

Counties Impacted:

Spartanburg County

​The Cottonwood South Trail will connect the already popular Glendale Shoals Preserve to several important historic and natural resources along Spartanburg's Lawson's Fork Creek corridor, enhancing what was already one of our community's most beloved natural preserves.

The goal of the The Daniel Boone Heritage Canoe Trail / Wil-Cox Bridge Recreation Area development project is to increase accessibility and awareness of the Yadkin River by improving access points, amenities and programming.

The goal of the The Daniel Boone Heritage Canoe Trail / Wil-Cox Bridge Recreation Area development project is to increase accessibility and awareness of the Yadkin River by improving access points, amenities and programming.

Davidson

Davie

Rowan

The Daniel Boone Heritage Canoe Trail on the Yadkin River is a 22 mile section of river that winds through the Yadkin Valley of Davidson, Davie, and Rowan Counties. Funds awarded by the Duke Energy Water Resource Fund will assist with providing public access and a riverwalk at one of the three access improvement projects currently underway on this historical section of the Yadkin River in Davidson County. This section of river and our commitment to public access improvement will provide connectivity to thousands of acres of public or soon to be public lands and waterways, offering educational, environmental, recreational, and economic development opportunities for people of all walks of life, that live and visit Davidson County and the entire region of the Yadkin Valley.

The goal of this project is to stabilize a headcut along the the S. Prong West Branch of the Rocky River. Stabilization will protect existing habitat and improve water quality by reducing sediment pollution downstream and stabilizing the channel.

BACK

Davidson Elementary School Headcut Stream Stabilization

The goal of this project is to stabilize a headcut along the the S. Prong West Branch of the Rocky River. Stabilization will protect existing habitat and improve water quality by reducing sediment pollution downstream and stabilizing the channel.

Mecklenburg

We thank Duke Energy for its support and Davidson College for their partnership. We are eager to launch this stream restoration project so that we can make it safer for our children, and make the area behind Davidson Elementary School accessible for all to enjoy.

This project will increase public access to the Deep River Trail and protect 15 acres of high quality Cape Fear Shiner habitat in Chatham County, North Carolina.

Counties Impacted:

Chatham

Thanks to the Duke Energy Water Resources Fund, The Conservation Fund and NC State Parks will increase public access to the Deep River Trail and help protect the endangered Cape Fear Shiner and other species.”

Determining the current distribution and potential spread of Didymo in North Carolina streams

Tennessee Tech University

This project will improve stream habitat and fisheries resources in North Carolina streams by conducting research on Didymo colonization and mat formation, and better defining the conditions that lead to blooms in this region.

Counties Impacted:

Jackson

Macon

Burke

Haywood

Wilkes

Graham

Ashe

Watauga

Mitchell

Yancey

Buncombe

Graham

Swain

Cherokee

This project will help fisheries and water resource managers to predict which streams will be most susceptible to Didymo colonization and mat formation, and better define the conditions that lead to blooms in this region. This work will also allow a more focused management approach to better allocate resources to mitigate recreational and ecological impacts of this alga."

This project will restore 1,200 feet of streambank along Cartoogechaye Creek to increase water quality, benefit rare aquatic species and provide opportunities for public education.

Counties Impacted:

Macon

Swain

Western North Carolina is known for its high water quality streams nestled in beautiful mountains. Restoring streambank and wetlands that will be seen by visitors along the popular Little Tennessee Greenway will help others understand the value of wetlands and proper shading for cool water.

The goal is to protect the natural environment by using best management practices and materials to construct the Dug Mountain Passage of the Palmetto Trail, which will provide public access to the lower Eastatoe Creek watershed in Jocassee Gorges.

Counties Impacted:

Pickens

Oconee

Greenville

Spartanburg

​This incredible project will help us protect the Jocassee Gorges environment and better serve our community for years to come. The lower Eastatoe watershed is part of the internationally recognized Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area, a pine-hemlock-hardwood forest that provides habitats for a rich diversity of flora and fauna. This project will create an outdoor classroom for people of all ages and abilities and a unique chance to experience one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet.

The Dutch Creek Stream Restoration and Education Initiative restored a degraded reach of Dutch Creek using natural channel design methods. The project is located on property shared by Valle Crucis Community Park and Valle Crucis School, making it an excellent opportunity to educate the public about the importance of restoration projects to protect important aquatic and riparian habitat.

Counties Impacted:

Watauga County

​ The Dutch Creek Stream Restoration project has enabled Valle Crucis Commuity Park to meet several strategic goals: Not only did it drastically improve very important aquatic and riparian habitat, it has alleviated issues with flooding during major storms and improved access to the creek for fishing and wading. The project has also been used for several environmental education programs, both for the general public and for students at Valle Crucis School.

This project will restore the Draper Landing in the eastern section of Eden and establish a new access point in the western section of the city.

Counties Impacted:

Rockingham

The Dan River Access Point project will add two river access points in the City of Eden, thereby providing more accessibility to the Dan River for local citizens and visitors as Eden continues to promote responsible river recreation."

The project establishes a conservation model for private landowners along the upper Black River through the purchase of a conservation easement over 89 acres of floodplain forest and riparian buffer along this beautiful and outstanding river.

Counties Impacted:

Sampson

Bladen

Pender

Vaughn’s Creek in The Nature Conservancy’s Blue Wall Preserve provides clean, clear drinking water to Landrum, South Carolina. That high-quality water is threated by two aging dams and an eroding, historic logging road that – if not addressed – could pollute the creek with sediment and runoff. This grant from Duke Energy Water Resources Fund will allow the Conservancy to assess the dams for either repair or removal, as well as to repair the road, keeping Landrum’s drinking water clean.”

-- Mark Robertson, state director for The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina

The CMoW will create an exhibit that educates our visitors on the water cycle and the importance of water reclamation, treatment and reuse, focusing on early childhood learners.

Counties Impacted:

New Hanover

Pender

Brunswick

Water quality, and the impact it has on the environment and the residents of the Carolinas, it an active topic of discussion throughout our region. We felt it was important to invest some of our resources into educating our young visitors, and their families, about the impact of caring for this precious resource."

AMOS will construct an interactive exhibit emulating the French Broad River to teach hydrology fundamentals and showcase the impact of humans along a river’s course. Interpretive content and educator-led activities will support education goals.

BACK

French Broad River Interactive Exhibit & Education Programming

AMOS will construct an interactive exhibit emulating the French Broad River to teach hydrology fundamentals and showcase the impact of humans along a river’s course. Interpretive content and educator-led activities will support education goals.

Avery

Buncombe

Burke

Cherokee

Clay

Graham

Haywood

Henderson

Jackson

Macon

Madison

Mitchell

Polk

Rutherford

Swain

Transylvania

Yancey

The museum’s goal is to spark curiosity and foster a deep appreciation for the sciences and the natural beauty of western North Carolina. Environmental stewardship starts with education. AMOS’ French Broad River exhibit will offer a one of a kind interactive learning experience to the public. We thank Duke Energy for its support and are eager to launch this project allowing visitors to learn about the importance of this waterway, in the WNC ecosystem.

The project is to construct a picnic shelter beside the Little River, construct a culvert that will make the hiking trail more accessible and safe, to install a sign identifying the park from the road, and install a kiosk that will have a trail map.

BACK

Forks of Little River Passive Park Amenities

The project is to construct a picnic shelter beside the Little River, construct a culvert that will make the hiking trail more accessible and safe, to install a sign identifying the park from the road, and install a kiosk that will have a trail map.

Montgomery

The amenities provided by the Duke Water Resources grant for the Forks of Little River passive park will greatly enhance the public’s accessibility and use of this beautiful place. Now more residents and tourists alike can enjoy hiking and fishing here at this unique place in the center of the state.

This project aims to restore seepage wetland habitat and improve water quality of Swan Lake in the Reedy River watershed by building floating marsh islands. The project will be the basis for student-faculty ecological research and community education.

Counties Impacted:

Greenville County

​This project works to reduce siltation in Swan Lake, improving water quality in the lake and downstream. It also enhances wildlife habitat and viewing opportunities, expands public water access and works to educates students and the public on the importance of water resources. This education comes through the project’s incorporation in laboratory classwork as a living learning lab resource, programing through the Shi Center and public signage around the project to education our community as they visit the lake to exercise and relax with family and friends.

This project will develop a new marina and floating docks to provide increased access to the waters of Gallants Channel and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Counties Impacted:

Beaufort

Carteret

Public access will be provided to the waterways surrounding Gallants Channel as well as raising citizen awareness of the value of our state’s rich maritime history and culture. Workshops on environmental science and marine biology, engaging seminars about pirates, hands-on sailing programs, and boating safety classes will be featured at Gallants Channel. The marina and floating docks will literally put visitors to the North Carolina Maritime Museum facilities at Gallants Channel on the coastal waters of North Carolina.”

The Conservancy is raising funds to purchase the iconic 950-acre Gap Creek property in the South Carolina mountains. Once acquired, we will transfer it to SC State Parks to expand Jones Gap State Park, completing a 40-year conservation vision.

Counties Impacted:

Greenville

Spartanburg

Anderson

Pickens

Cherokee

Oconee

Union

Laurens

​Gap Creek is a beautiful place that also will be critical for water quality and environmental education. Headwater streams on-site flow into Saluda Lake, which provides drinking water for 18,000 residents of Easley, S.C. Keeping Gap Creek forested helps keep that water clean and plentiful. We’re also excited for this property’s potential to educate and inspire more than 800,000 visitors who flock to this area annually for outdoor recreation. S.C. State Parks plans to install trails and signage that will provide key messages about the area’s unique natural resources and the importance of protecting them.

-Mark Robertson, Executive Director for The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina

The Grassy Creek Restoration and OVT- Phase II project will improve an impacted subwatershed of the North Toe watershed by stabilizing and restoring a 1,000 foot section of Grassy Creek. The project will also continue development of the OVT.

Counties Impacted:

Mitchell

Avery

McDowell

Yancey

​The Grassy Creek Restoration and OVT project will provide additional recreation opportunities to local residents and visitors alike. The restoration aspect will also provide an excellent outreach example of how natural resource improvement (water quality, habitat, etc.) can lead to additional job opportunities and tourism dollars for the county. A win-win for everyone.

This project will organize 300 volunteers in river clean ups or water monitoring across the Dan River Basin.

Counties Impacted:

Henry

Guilford

Rockingham

Pittsylvania

Caswell

Halifax

Funding from Duke Energy will allow hundreds of people to pitch in and remove tons of litter and tires from waterways across the Dan River Basin, as well as engage volunteers in collecting data on the health of our rivers. Clean ups like these often provide first-time river experiences for youth that can translate into life-long appreciation for the great outdoors."

This project will provide a canoe/kayak access at High Rock Ford, the highest point of navigation on the Haw River, and add 4 river miles to the popular Haw River Paddle Trail and ¼ mile to the Haw River Land Trail.

Counties Impacted:

Rockingham County

​High Rock Ford is the ideal place to explore the relationship between history, nature, and our environment, and the MARC is thrilled to have the opportunity to open it to the public as educational trails and a river access. Once a place of regional and national significance, a bustling center of commerce, stage coach stop, and Revolutionary War campground, this project will return High Rock Ford to the people, as a place they can gather to enjoy the nature around them and connect directly with their past.

This project will acquire and permanently protect a 27.5 acre tract of land along a degraded section of Lyle Creek, which feeds into Lake Norman.

Counties Impacted:

Catawba

Iredell

Lincoln

Mecklenburg

Through the permanent protection of a key parcel of land, sedimentation will be reduced into Lyle Creek which feeds the Catawba River/Lake Norman. The acquisition of this property will allow for the extension of the Carolina Thread Trail which integrates supportively with other Duke Energy Relicensing recreation projects in the area."

There are 4 navigable rivers within our borders. The goal of this project is to build 1 of the 13 needed river accesses in Surry County, which will give the public access to waterways, and will be accomplished through a partnership with NC Wildlife.

Counties Impacted:

Surry County

​The development of this river access will open up opportunities on the Ararat River. This will be the first access of many allowing the public to have access to our waterways. Additionally, this proposal includes the opportunity to supply signs teaching the ethics of “Leave No Trace,” “Pack it in, Pack it out,” and “Take only photographs, and leave only footprints.” This philosophy has worked well at other accesses throughout Surry County.

Hill Farm on the Dan River - Public Fishing, Limited Hunting and Hiking Access

Piedmont Land Conservancy, Greensboro, NC

PLC will transfer 155 acres of the Hill Farm in Stokes County to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Fund for permanent protection and management as a public access fishing, hiking and limited hunting preserve. The property has two miles on the Dan River.

Counties Impacted:

Stokes County, NC

​The Conservancy spent five years pursuing these properties with the ultimate goal of providing greater public access to the Dan River. Fishing enthusiasts and hunters will soon have a new opportunity to access one of the Piedmont’s special places, while protecting one of our region’s most wild and scenic rivers.

This project aims to reduce the pollution load entering Black Creek from a 300-acre urban watershed while restoring site ecologies and implementing a regenerative stormwater conveyance (RSC) system.

BACK

Implementation of best management practice for stormwater entering Black Creek

This project aims to reduce the pollution load entering Black Creek from a 300-acre urban watershed while restoring site ecologies and implementing a regenerative stormwater conveyance (RSC) system.

Darlington

“A core goal of Kalmia Gardens is to protect and preserve habitat. This project will not only restore a native ecological community, but will also help protect Black Creek from urban runoff. It will aid the Gardens in another of its goals, which is to be a leader in environmental education. This project will become part of our outdoor classroom, and we will educate students and the public about urban watersheds and the perils that threaten them, while offering sustainable solutions to these problems.

This project will implement stormwater retrofits in Maggie Valley in Haywood County. This includes restoring 200 feet of stream bank, installing a fire truck washing pad and bio-filter, and implementing stormwater best management practices with stream access points. These activities will improve water quality and help maintain the stream at a trout standard.

Counties Impacted:

Haywood County

​Maggie Valley is a NC Trout City where the funded projects will directly improve the water quality of Jonathan Creek. Much of the development is immediately adjacent to the stream where parking lots and roof tops directly drain to the stream. It will take action by many people, but improvement can happen.

This project aims to abate water quality threats to Vaughn’s Creek, a primary drinking water source for the City of Landrum.

Counties Impacted:

Greenville

Spartanburg

Vaughn’s Creek in The Nature Conservancy’s Blue Wall Preserve provides clean, clear drinking water to Landrum, South Carolina. That high-quality water is threated by two aging dams and an eroding, historic logging road that – if not addressed – could pollute the creek with sediment and runoff. This grant from Duke Energy Water Resources Fund will allow the Conservancy to assess the dams for either repair or removal, as well as to repair the road, keeping Landrum’s drinking water clean.”

--Mark Robertson, state director for The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Institute of Marine Sciences, Chapel Hill, NC

BACK

Institute of Marine Sciences' Portable, Autonomous, On Board Water Quality Monitoring System for FerryMon

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Institute of Marine Sciences, Chapel Hill, NC

The Institute's Ferry Monitoring program (FerryMon) provides water quality monitoring data to citizens, stakeholders, managers, and policy makers to promote science-based management and awareness of the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound Estuarine System.

Counties Impacted:

Carteret

Craven

Pamlico

Hyde

​ Professor Paerl’s research using FerryMon, “aims to understand how excessive nutrients from the land make their way into our aquatic ecosystems, potentially affecting our drinking water, our coasts, our fisheries and recreation. This work is fundamental to solving some of our nation’s biggest challenges and Carolina is tremendously proud to be his academic home."

This project aims to improve water quality in the Ivy River Watershed, a water supply source, through partnership development, stakeholder engagement, education and outreach, and on the ground projects.

Counties Impacted:

Madison

Buncombe

​The Ivy River is a drinking water supply source and a major tributary to the French Broad which is at the heart of our recreational economy here in Madison County. Sections of the river are on the EPA's list of impaired and impacted water bodies. With help from the Duke Energy Water Resource Fund, Ivy River Partners has been able to recycle 562 TVs and other electronics to reduce illegal dumping after a charge was initiated at the landfill, remove 11,160 lbs of litter from the waterways, provide hands-on water quality education for every 8th grader in Madison County, and continue a water quality monitoring program that has helped leverage over $730,000 for on the ground projects over the past 4 years. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world with some of the richest natural resources, but we have a rural economy. Duke Energy Foundation is helping us improve these natural resources with an education component that will elicit stewardship for years to come.

The City of Belmont is building the Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park along the Catawba River. This park will provide access to the Catawba River as well as recreational and environmental education opportunities in a natural setting.

Counties Impacted:

Gaston County

​
The Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park provides free public access to the Catawba River, providing Belmont’s residents and guests with the ability to launch a boat, canoe, or kayak into the river or to simply stroll along the shore and observe the various plants, fish, and waterfowl living in this unique habitat.

This project will result in permanent protection of an 842‐acre undeveloped tract located in southern Granville County. The property is the largest privately‐owned tract of land located within the Knap of Reeds Creek Watershed that feeds Falls Lake.

BACK

Knap of Reeds Watershed Protection Project

This project will result in permanent protection of an 842‐acre undeveloped tract located in southern Granville County. The property is the largest privately‐owned tract of land located within the Knap of Reeds Creek Watershed that feeds Falls Lake.

Granville

There aren’t many privately-owned properties left in southern Granville County of this size. Acquiring the Gantt property has long been a big priority for us. We are very grateful to the Gantt family and to our partners for their commitment throughout this project.

Lake Craig at Croft State Park is one of the largest lakes in the Fairforest Watershed. The goal is to partner with Duke Energy and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to improve public access to the lake by building a fishing pier.

Counties Impacted:

Spartanburg

Greenville

Union

Laurens

York

​It's a great day when you have sister agencies like SCDNR and State Parks come together with a great partner like Duke Energy to make an impact and to help families make memories. Not only do families enjoy the fishing, the educational signage helps them understand the environment of the lake.

Using volunteers and USC scientific support, identify and track algae growth on the Lake. Through frequent water, algae, and shoreline analysis, identify causes and solution options. Educate and engage community to control/prevent nutrient inflows.

Counties Impacted:

Fairfield

Kershaw

Lancaster

Chester

​
This grant will help us better serve our Lake Wateree community for years to come. It is being used to continue a project to study and remediate the growing presence of algae, which is affecting wildlife habitats, recreational use, and aesthetic and health concerns for lake users. An important aspect of the remediation will be community outreach to inform residents and visitors about actions they can take to reduce nutrient inflows that enable algae growth.

This project will update current park property into a public park, allowing access to Rocky River by a canoe/kayak launch, taking advantage of the property's Significant Natural Heritage Area as a community resource for educational purposes/recreational opportunities.

The Little Tennessee River system is the nation's first Native Fish Conservation Area. We will develop a set of educational videos to inform and engage citizens, and an interactive web-based map to guide conservation efforts by the Little Tennessee Native Fish Conservation Partnership.

Counties Impacted:

Georgia

Rabun

​North Carolina

Macon

Clay

Jackson

Swain

Cherokee

Graham

​Tennessee

Blount

Loudon

Monroe

​This project is providing tools to support the Partnership’s work with aquatic restoration and public education. The web mapper will enable partners to share data and prioritize where we should implement aquatic species and habitat restoration projects. The video project will result in high quality videos by Freshwaters Illustrated that we will be able to use in classrooms, visitor centers, museums, and social media. We hope these videos will inspire both residents and visitors to be engaged stewards of our streams and the incredible aquatic biodiversity they support.

The goal includes placement of riparian and marsh grasses and a "living shoreline" to dampen wave energy, improve water quality, and stabilize sediments to preserve the shoreline and provide food and shelter for aquatic and terrestrial species.

BACK

Living Shoreline at Town Park

The goal includes placement of riparian and marsh grasses and a "living shoreline" to dampen wave energy, improve water quality, and stabilize sediments to preserve the shoreline and provide food and shelter for aquatic and terrestrial species.

Brunswick

This project will serve as an important advancement in combining environmental quality and community outreach. I would like to thank Duke Energy for believing in this project and I look forward to working with the community to create a healthier ecosystem.

This project will clear four priority areas along the Lynches River to gain access for boats and kayaks.

Counties Impacted:

Florence

This project will expand the public's use and access to the Lynches River for boats and kayaks. To achieve this, Florence County will hire an experienced contractor to clear of debris four priority areas along Lynches River."

In partnership with Macon County Parks and Recreation, Macon SWCD will install five canoe launches and one stream access area at three Macon County Recreation Parks.

BACK

Macon County Blueways Initiative

In partnership with Macon County Parks and Recreation, Macon SWCD will install five canoe launches and one stream access area at three Macon County Recreation Parks.

Macon

We will use this grant to install 5 canoe accesses and one stream access. In conjunction with a previous Duke Water Resources Grant this will tie together more than five stream miles of waterways in Macon County into a navigable “Blueway”. Macon County and Macon SWCD are excited about this opportunity to increase public use of, and education regarding, the water resources of our county.

Matrimony Creek Nature Trail is an approximately one mile nature trail running from Washington Street to Price Road along Matrimony Creek. The goal is to provide a walking trail next to an Eden waterway in the western section of the city. The funding will provide the city with resources engineer and develop the trail using city resources and outside contractors.

Counties Impacted:

Rockingham, NC

Henry County, VA

Pittsylvania County, VA

​The Matrimony Creek Nature Trail will provide an educational opportunity for the area elementary school, provide a beautiful walking trail for area residents, and continue Eden's quest to showcase its rivers, trails and waterways.

This project will construct a riparian buffer along a greenway connection between the Memorial Park Trailhead to the Mulberry Fields Section of the existing Yadkin River Greenway.

Counties Impacted:

Wilkes

The Yadkin River is affected by stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces, construction, and agricultural land uses. Thanks to Duke Energy, a forested riparian buffer restoration is planned along several impacted sections of the greenway/river interface in order to improve and conserve water quality in the Yadkin River."

The NCC Water Quality Institute (WQI) will improve water quality and conservation in the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River Basins through research, public outreach, K-14 education, and workforce development in related career fields. NCC’s Water Quality Institute is conducting research to assess the relative impact of different land uses and invasive species dynamics on aquatic systems and endemic organisms of these river basins.

Counties Impacted:

Beaufort

Carteret

Craven

Dare

Duplin

Durham

Edgecombe

Franklin

Granville

Greene

Halifax

Harnett

Hyde

Johnston

Jones

Lenoir

Martin

Nash

Onslow

Orange

Pamlico

Person

Pitt

Sampson

Vance

Wake

Warren

Washington

Wayne

Wilson

​
By measuring water quality parameters at a variety of sites distributed throughout the Tar and Neuse River basins we are building a drainage basin-wide snapshot of water quality. We have found certain areas with good water quality and other areas with poor water quality. Moreover, we have documented wide variation in water quality parameters at the sites throughout the sampling period. This variation clearly illustrates that the factors affecting water quality in our areas are complex and bear continuous monitoring to both identify problem areas as well as finding solutions to poor water quality.

This project will improve the head waters of the tributary to House Creek in the NCMA’s Park in an effort to reduce sediment and nutrient run off in water that exits the property. A new trail and signage will provide an enhanced experience in nature.

Counties Impacted:

Wake

​Water will be improved on site and downstream. Current stream instability is being repaired to prevent continued bank erosion and accelerating tree loss. Stabilizing this section of stream will improve aesthetics, safety and reduce the amount of sedimentation downstream as it flows into the Neuse River Watershed

This project incorporates novel hard substrates, a stepping-stone siting approach, and community engagement to increase oyster population abundance, and resultant habitat and water quality related services, in the New River Estuary.

Counties Impacted:

Onslow

The New River Estuary Oyster Highway is employing novel substrates and approaches to restore oyster populations in critical coastal waters. Through research and public engagement, we are attempting to improve water quality and bottom habitat in the New River Estuary, while also providing findings that can be exported to help restore oyster reef cover and function in other estuaries throughout the region."

-- Dr. F. Fodrie, Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina Coastal Land Trust used a grant from the Water Resources Fund to transform two of its properties, each ideally suited to connect children to nature, into safe, user-friendly nature preserves. We built trails, interpretive kiosks, planted a pollinator garden, repaired a dock and a wilderness campsite (new screens, doors and roofing), removed debris, and installed picnic tables, benches and trash receptacles.

Counties Impacted:

Onslow

Carteret

​With support from the Water Resources Fund, there are two new places for children to enjoy and learn about nature, to get outdoors and unplugged, and to walk and hike. The Everett Creek Preserve, located across the street from an elementary school, features a Pollinator Garden that the school children helped plant and maintain. We are thrilled with the educational opportunities now in place at these two nature preserves

This project will build a kayak launch and storage area on Pages Creek Preserve, establishing the first and only public access to Pages Creek.

Counties Impacted:

New Hanover

This project allows us to share the beauty of our tidal creeks with the community while providing hands on learning, showcasing the importance of protecting our waterways and their role in so many aspects of our lives."

- Tara Duckworth, Director of Parks & Gardens, The Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County

Support from the Duke Energy Water Resources Fund was leveraged with grants from the Forest Legacy Program, the Open Space Institute and the NC Environmental Enhancement Grant Program to protect nearly 700 acres of the future Headwaters State Forest in August 2016. The NC Forest Service hopes to open the nearly 7,000-acre state forest to the public in late 2018 for a myriad of recreation opportunities including hunting, hiking, and wildlife viewing.

Counties Impacted:

Transylvania

​ We greatly appreciate Duke Energy’s support for helping to protect the headwaters of the East Fork of the French Broad River and for helping establish NC’s newest State Forest in Transylvania County. Hundreds of thousands of people rely upon the French Broad River for drinking water, electric power production and recreation.

This project will renovate and expand a popular boardwalk through the Pocotaligo Swamp known as the Pocotaligo River Walk and Trail, and bring the boardwalk up to ADA standards.

Counties Impacted:

Clarendon

Sumter

This project will offer non-traditional opportunities to experience nature and enjoy the natural beauty, sites, and sounds not found in typical recreational outlets. This will include fishing, hiking, wild-life observation, and the simple enjoyment of the undisturbed sanctuary of the Pocotaligo Swamp."

Project TECHNOcean will provide underserved middle school students with STEM experiential learning opportunities that promise to engage them with the marine environment. Project TECHNOcean proposes to use NC standards based hands-on inquiry-based lessons, labs and field experiences to engage students with ocean monitoring, ocean exploration, ocean conservation and marine engineering. Students will practice authentic STEM skills associated with marine science research and data collection.

The Waccamaw is one of the most beautiful, wildest and most biologically unique of North Carolina’s rivers. This grant has resulted in the permanent protection of critically important wetlands and almost two miles of forested buffer on the river.

Counties Impacted:

Columbus County

​The Waccamaw is unique and wild; it includes some of the most beautiful and extensive cypress swamps in the state, and portions of the river and Lake Waccamaw contain fish and mollusks that are found nowhere else on Earth.

For over a decade, protecting the watershed within Sheepback Mountain has been a goal of the Town of Maggie Valley and the Sanitary District. If protected, this watershed would greatly contribute to improved water quality for citizens and visitors.

Protecting the Eno River Corridor & Creating a New Gateway to the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Eno River Association, Durham, NC

This project secures the last unprotected river buffer from the Orange County line at Pleasant Green Road for 4.5 miles to the Eno River State Park’s current northwest boundary. It protects water quality and creates a new gateway for the park and the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Counties Impacted:

Durham

Orange County

​​By filling a gap in the buffered protection of the Eno River, this project protects drinking water for Durham, Raleigh and other towns which rely on Falls Lake for their drinking water. This easement project also closes a critical gap in the route of the NC Mountains-to Sea Trail along the Eno River.

Quantifying Land-Use Change Impacts on Catawba River Basin Water Supply through Economic Valuation

Foothills Conservancy of NC, Morganton, NC

This project will add an economic analysis to a research model that will determine the impacts of various land uses on water quantity and quality throughout the Catawba River Basin, and identify priority areas for source water protection through land conservation. The costs and benefits of conserving priority land parcels will be evaluated.

Counties Impacted:

North Carolina

Avery

Burke

Caldwell

McDowell

Catawba

Alexander

Lincoln

Iredell

Gaston

Mecklenburg

Union

South Carolina

York

Chester

Lancaster

Fairfield

Kershaw

The study is a great collaboration among land trusts in the Catawba-Wateree Basin (Foothills Conservancy, Catawba Lands Conservancy, The Conservation Fund) and the Catawba-Wateree Water Management Group to better define land and water conservation actions we can undertake collectively to protect and maintain the Catawba-Wateree River as a healthy and reliable source of water for generations to come.

The City of Randleman purchased 157 acres located on the Deep River in Randolph County to protect the property from development, thereby improving water quality and to use it as a passive recreational destination for the county and the state.

Counties Impacted:

Randolph

Moore

Chatham

Lee

​The City of Randleman, along with several key partners, has preserved a large tract of open space along the Deep River that will help protect this watershed and provide passive recreational opportunities for generations to come.

​This project will allow us to educate our youth on the natural resources that surround them through intrepretative signage. It will also provide easy access to the river for those who want to enjoy our pristine bodies of water.

The goal of the project is to expand public use of and access to the Catawba River, a 2008 designated Scenic River, by constructing an improved canoe/kayak launch at River Park, one of three river access points in York County, SC.

Counties Impacted:

York

Chester

Lancaster

​The River Park kayak launch serves over 700 elementary students as well as thousands of paddlers and tubers each year. Parks, Recreation, and Tourism staff enjoy the additional security of the new ramp because it allows students to enter the creek without using the main river channel where the water can be quite fast. Also, it takes much less time for students to launch their boats , which allows students more time for kayaking and playing in the creek during field trips. Teachers have commented on how nice the new launch is for the students to be able to easily enter their boats, and provides a better place to watch the students in action.

This project will develop a playful and immersive pretend river exhibit designed to spark curiosity and care for the Neuse River.

Counties Impacted:

Person

Orange

Durham

Wake

Johnston

Wilson

Wayne

Greene

Lenoir

Jones

Pitt

Craven

Pamlico

Carteret

River Play-Way will help children and families gain knowledge about the diversity of wildlife supported by the river and increase their interest in conserving and protecting the health and beauty of the river and the habitats it supports."

An engineered, concrete, ADA accessible river observation/fishing platform on Lookout Shoals Lake was built to allow visitors to enjoy and examine the outdoor natural habitat and wildlife from over the water. The platform was constructed to withstand future flooding events. Interpretative kiosks feature information on the construction of Oxford Dam, operational statistics of the dam today, and clean energy and good stewardship of our natural/cultural resources.

Counties Impacted:

Catawba County

Iredell County

Alexander County

​We extend our thanks to Duke Energy Foundation for assisting Catawba County in replacing the wooden deck and informational kiosks at Riverbend Park, which were destroyed in the flood of 2013. Park patrons used the previous deck for picnicking, fishing, and observing wildlife, and area schools used the deck as an outdoor science classroom. The new concrete replacement platform will help withstand future flooding events. The educational kiosks will help visitors understand the construction of adjacent Oxford Dam, the benefits of the dam, and ways the public can help protect the natural environment.

This project seeks to improve water quality and engage the community through development of a riparian restoration plan along the east bank greenway and creation of educational interpretive signage.

Counties Impacted:

Buncombe

Madison County

​With help from the Duke Water Resources Fund, the City will be able to advance our community's goals to protect and improve our tree canopy to improve water quality and promote access to and use of the river for generations to come

The goal of the Riverwalk-Sandy River trail is to extend Danville's greenway to provide access westward along the Dan River as described in the 2002 & 2011 master plans. It will be accomplished by installation of paved trail, a bridge and boardwalk.

Counties Impacted:

Pittsylvania County in Virginia

Caswell County, NC

​The Riverwalk Trail is a wonderful asset to the City of Danville. In addition to providing scenic recreational opportunities, the 11.7 mile greenway promotes interaction with the river, provides protection for its many ecosystems and creates a buffer between developed areas and the river to help filter runoff and reduce water pollution. By giving people the opportunity to get close to the river, they are able to experience firsthand what impacts their actions have on natural landscapes and habitats, promoting environmental awareness.

The Rocky Point Community Forest on the Black River in Georgetown County, SC protects 462-acres of coastal forested wetland and associated upland habitat and therefore protects water quality in the region. It is managed following a self sustaining forestry model geared towards protecting and restoring ecological health while providing public access and recreation opportunities to the surrounding communities.

Counties Impacted:

Georgetown County

​Winyah Rivers is very proud to be a partner in the effort to create and support this community asset, the first of its kind in the region. Its unique modeling as a self sustaining community forest pairs sustainable forestry restoration and management with water quality protection through land protection. It also provides the critical connection between a community and its natural resources through public access to the Black River and opportunities for recreation and education. Water is life and we appreciate The Water Resource Fund's support of this innovative solution to water quality protection.

Improve the water quality, quantity, plant and animal species in a 6-acre altered wetland by installing a solar powered water pump. Study and publicize the water quality, plant & animal species improvements. Install a kiosk documenting the project.

Counties Impacted:

Anderson County

​This project is in progress to enlarge the area of emergent wetland at the Rocky River Nature Park, that, in turn, will produce additional suitable habitat for water birds, aquatic invertebrates and fish. Public and student use of the Park is already beginning to increase as a result of this and other improvements at the Park.

-Dr. Tom Kozel, Professor of Biology, Anderson University and Member of Executive Board, Rocky River Conservancy

Wake County seeks to open its first nature preserve at Robertson’s Mill Pond. The public will be able to canoe and kayak in the County’s only black water swamp and bald cypress habitat. This project supports construction of the Preserve.

The Coastal Land Trust will purchase 5,500 acres of ecologically significant land, with 11 miles of scenic waterfront located “Down East,” resulting in new resources for passive recreation.

Counties Impacted:

Carteret County

The 5,500-acre Salter’s Creek project combines protection of wildlife habitat water and water quality. In addition, it will add lands for passive recreation, and it helps prevent incompatible development near a vital US Marine Corps asset. Salter’s Creek has it all! ”

Three cattle producers, all located within 15 miles of the Cliffside Steam Plant, will fence cattle out of 10,000 linear feet of streams and creeks. The project will provide 75% of the cost for fencing, watering tanks, pipelines, and municpal taps.

Counties Impacted:

Cleveland County

​ The project successfully prevented around 100 cows from accessing Sandy Run and Beaver Dam creeks in southwestern Cleveland County. Livestock is a major contributor to bacterial contamination in these creeks, and Sandy Run Creek had been classified as impaired because of high fecal coliform levels. The project fenced cows from accessing these streams and provided wells and ag taps to farmers as alternative water sources.

DU's goal is to enhance the publicly accessible 726-acre wetland complex, including the Dingle Pond, at the Santee National Wildlife (NWR) Refuge Bluff Unit which is an important habitat for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds and mammals.

BACK

Santee National Wildlife Refuge Bluff Unit

DU's goal is to enhance the publicly accessible 726-acre wetland complex, including the Dingle Pond, at the Santee National Wildlife (NWR) Refuge Bluff Unit which is an important habitat for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds and mammals.

Clarendon

“Duke Energy’s support helps Ducks Unlimited conserve waterfowl habitat and protect local waterways. The Santee National Wildlife Refuge project will increase water quality, quantity and conservation while providing important habitat for wildlife, including waterfowl and other migratory birds for years to come.

The goals of the project are to protect and enhance water quality in Sitton Creek, which flows to the North Mills River, a source of public water supply, and to expand public access and enjoyment by adding 178 new acres to Pisgah National Forest.

Counties Impacted:

Henderson

Buncombe

​Thanks to the support of the Duke Energy Water Resources Fund and other funders, the Sitton Creek Protection and Restoration project has added 177 acres to Pisgah National Forest, permanently conserved an additional 168 acres of adjoining private land, and protected over five miles of streams that supply clean drinking water to residents of Henderson and Buncombe counties.

This project will permanently protect 2,213-acres of water supply watershed lands adjoining the South Mountains State Park at the headwaters of the Henry Fork & Jacob Fork rivers through fee acquisition by the land trust and state park, & management for public use.

Counties Impacted:

Burke County (directly)

Catawba

Lincoln

Gaston

Mecklenburg (indirectly)

​ Watershed protection in the Catawba River Basin is important for keeping our creeks, streams, rivers and lakes clean, and for maintaining abundant water supplies for all users. A grant from Duke Energy's Water Resources Fund was critical to the success of this partnership project between Foothills Conservancy and NC State Parks.

​The Sturgeon City Waterway and Wetland Education Program is increasing opportunities for area residents and students to get on the water. These hands-on experiences are one of the best ways to teach people the importance of our waterways and the role that they play in protecting them.

The goal of this project is to expand public use and access to waterways in the rural Swain County area through new river front access and user opportunities including a fishing, canoe, kayak, tubing, etc. access as well as other recreational/public usages.

Counties Impacted:

Swain County

​These public access areas will help promote the use of our river resources for recreation and education which in turn will increase the awareness of how important the health of the waterways is for all our generations and their responsibility to be good stewards

The Butterfly Creek Trail will take an existing piped creek, Greenville Branch, and return the creek to it natural setting. The education piece of this project will provide greater awareness of plant/wildlife natural to the habitat.

Counties Impacted:

Cherokee

Union

Laurens

The City is confident that this project will provide significant environmental benefits, including: improved aquatic and terrestrial habitats (e.g. more diverse and native plant, fish, macrophyte, and benthic macroinvertebrate communities), as well as significant ambient water quality improvements (e.g. temperature, sediment, fecal coliform and nutrient reductions; pH stabilization). It will also serve as a catalyst for the redevelopment of the City’s Northside: a highly distressed community which has suffered from poverty, high crime, blight, and disinvestment for decades. The City, local partners, and Northside residents are committed to its comprehensive redevelopment.

The Great Coharie River Initiative is designed to restore environmental, educational and cultural significance of the Great Coharie River to Native American communities by enriching water quality and public access.

Counties Impacted:

Sampson

Johnston

Over the last two years the Great Coharie River Initiative has amplified awareness regarding the value of water quality along the Great Coharie River following two decades of neglect and abuse by storms and invasion of non-desirable plants and destructive wildlife. The Coharie People and its partners understand clearly how clean and navigable waters will enhance public access for educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities along one of North Carolinas hidden treasures.”

-- Phillip Bell, volunteer coordinator of the Great Coharie River Initiative

This project will construct a trail and pier overlooks to provide recreational trail users access to Gills Creek in Lancaster, SC.

Counties Impacted:

Lancaster

Flowing from east to west through the City of Lancaster, Gills Creek is part of the Catawba River Watershed and is home to the endangered Carolina Heelsplitter Mussell. These mussells are important to the ecosystem, providing a food source for other animals, stabilizing the creek bed, and filtering the water. The Lindsay Pettus Greenway is a partner with the Katawba Valley Land Trust in conserving and restoring this important watershed and habitat, educating the public about its significance, and providing accessibility that will increase greenway users' interaction with and appreciation of the natural world that lies mere steps away from our urban environment."

This project provides inclusive and equal shoreline access to river recreation on the Saluda River and in the town of Pelzer, South Carolina. Located at the Timmerman Jr Boat Ramp, this Anderson County waterfront park expansion is 4 miles north of the W.S. Lee Power Station and represents one of three ADA accessible floating kayak launches along the 48-mile Upstate SC Blueway.

Counties Impacted:

Abbeville

Anderson

Greenville

Greenwood

Laurens

Pickens

​Since our ribbon cutting ceremony in March 2017, the Timmerman Jr Access improvements have significantly increased activity and awareness on this portion of the Saluda River. The increased sense of ownership from the local community will continue to grow, along with participation in water-quality and preservation activities by stakeholders such as kayakers, canoeists, anglers, outdoor enthusiasts, and property owners. We are deeply grateful to the Duke Energy Water Resources Fund for participating with us on this project.

A 2013 park & recreation survey pointed to the need for passive recreation pursuits and improved access to water. This project directly addresses these needs,will improve quality of life for citizens and will promote awareness of natural resources.

Counties Impacted:

Balden County, NC

​This project will provide access directly to the NE Cape Fear River giving rise to educational opportunities that connect the importance of clean watersheds to Public drinking water protection.

Through this grant, TJCOG worked with local governments and water utilities across the Triangle to collaboratively develop common water supply metrics, consistent water use and water supply reporting, and best communication practices, which improved drought response in the Triangle Region. A project group of utilities, NC-DWR, and Duke Energy staff worked together to develop three regional water shortage communication framework reports as well as an online water supply portal.

Counties Impacted:

Chatham

Durham

Harnett

Johnston

Lee

Orange

Wake

​This project built upon several existing collaborations around the region that have been working on various aspects of water supply and water resources planning for the area, and have developed an intricate system of interconnectivity for sharing water during times of emergency. However, performing this assessment allowed all of the project participants to identify areas of improvement in each of their drought response communications and develop quicker, more robust, and more easily implementable strategies for utilizing this unique system. When the next drought strikes, the entire Triangle region will be far better prepared to respond and work together to be more resilient in the face of these challenges.

The Twelvemile Recreation Area, located in a formerly distressed area of Pickens County, will allow citizens access to fishing, hiking, picnic areas, whitewater and flatwater paddling to this reestablished waterway while creating nearly 100 jobs.

This grant will help us better serve our community for years to come. We look forward to the long-term benefits of the Twelve Mile Recreation Area. We thank Duke Energy for its support and are eager to launch this project so that we can continue serving our local waterways.

This project will provide two ADA accessible docks to provide access to all people, regardless of abilities, to participate in environmental education, recreational programs and lake clean up programs.

Counties Impacted:

Spartanburg

This project will have a huge impact on providing blueways access to all people in the Upstate of South Carolina because previously there were no ADA accessible docks for people with physical limitations to safely access the water ways for recreational purposes, environmental education programs, or to participate in river/lake sweeps to contribute to cleaning the blueway systems. This project will help safely expose all people, regardless of abilities, to enriching programs that educate the public on issues pertaining to our watershed and allows for quality of life opportunities."

-- Elizabeth Hardee, member of the Middle Tyger Area Council’s Blueways Coalition

Understanding Connections between Discharge, Chemistry, and Ecology in First Order Piedmont Streams

Davidson College, Davidson, NC

This project examines the impact of water chemistry and quantity on aquatic ecosystems in first order streams of the Rocky River and McDowell watersheds by comparing stream properties with salamander and macroinvertebrate communities.

Counties Impacted:

Mecklenberg

​ Data from the project have been integrated directly into a number of courses here at Davidson College. We have presented the data when talking about stream behavior and flashiness in Environmental Science. Students have had the opportunity to work directly with the data in "Surface Geology and Landforms" and "Data Visualization." Five students have chosen to do their senior theses related to the project and we expect a number of journal articles to come out of the project. Lastly, we have done outreach into the community to share our findings with children in the community.

Water Conservation in the Neuse and Haw River Basins through Hands-on Water Efficiency Assessments

Land of Sky Regional Council, Durham, NC

To help extend supply capacity, water efficiency assessments will be conducted by the Waste Reduction Partners team for organizations with the highest water use in the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors in the Haw and Neuse watersheds.

Counties Impacted:

Durham

Wake

Orange

Johnston

Chatham

​This project offers no-cost water efficiency assessments of large water consumers in the Triangle region. Fostering demand-site management strategies in industrial and commercial sectors is an important tool for long-term water resources stewardship.

The goal of this project is to complete aquatic organism passage restoration projects on strategic coldwater streams for the long-term viability of brook trout and other aquatic species through the removal or replacement of culverts that block fish passage.

Counties Impacted:

AVERY COUNTY

TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY

JACKSON COUNTY

​Wild and native brook trout are keystone species in North Carolina's mountain streams and they will not survive without clean, cold water. This project reconnects trout with nine more miles of high quality stream baitat, helping to ensure that these fish, so essential to stream health, will reamin viable over the long term. Trout Unlimted is working throughout the southern Appalachians with public and private partners to replicate the successes that Duke Water Resources Fund has enabled this year. Stay tuned-more source water protection, restoration and reconnection to come!

This project will secure a 1,076-acre conservation easement permanently safeguarding wildlife habitat and water quality on Wildacres Retreat.

Counties Impacted:

McDowell

Burke

Conserving high-quality streams, hiking trails and ecologically diverse habitat on Wildacres Retreat between the Blue Ridge Parkway and Pisgah National Forest achieves landscape-scale conservation that's critical as the rate of development in North Carolina increases. Successes like this would not be possible without the commitment of funders like the Duke Energy Water Resources Fund."

This project aims to construct the WoWW Lake Nature Trail, which will increase community awareness of water resource protection by developing project infrastructure and hands-on learning opportunities.

BACK

Wonders of Water and Wildlife (WoWW) Lake Nature Trail

This project aims to construct the WoWW Lake Nature Trail, which will increase community awareness of water resource protection by developing project infrastructure and hands-on learning opportunities.

Anson

Cabarrus

Mecklenburg

Montgomery

Rowan

Stanly

Union

Alexander

Catawba

Lincoln

Gaston

Davie

Yadkin

Wilkes

Iredell

York

As part of the Girl Scout leadership experience, we hope to inspire girls to develop a lasting commitment to the environment. This integral support from Duke Energy enables our Girl Scouts to connect with and care for water resources at our camp properties and fosters lifelong environmental stewardship.

Duke Energy is proud to support the countless water stewards in our communities who are implementing innovative projects that protect our natural resources. In 2014, we established the Water Resources Fund, a $10 million, multiyear commitment to leave a lasting impact on our region’s waterways by expanding nonprofit partnerships and enhancing the environments where families live, play and work.

Since the Fund’s inception, Duke Energy has supported 113 projects in the Carolinas and Virginia with more than $9 million in grants. These projects have improved water quality, quantity and conservation, enhanced habitats, expanded public use and access and educated community members about their role in protecting water resources.

We encourage you to learn more about our local communities’ efforts to protect and restore our waterways and how you can support their efforts. Click here to learn more about the Fund and how you can apply for a grant.